CVE-2010-2851 in Com Booklibrary
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the BookLibrary From Same Author (com_booklibrary) module 1.5 and possibly earlier for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in a view action to index.php.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2018
The CVE-2010-2851 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the BookLibrary From Same Author module for Joomla content management system ecosystem. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes user input through the id parameter within the view action of index.php, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution vector, allowing attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and directly interact with the underlying database infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation and sanitization within the module's code execution path. When a user submits a request containing a malicious id parameter to the index.php file with a view action, the application fails to adequately sanitize or escape the input before incorporating it into SQL query construction. This oversight creates a classic SQL injection scenario where attacker-controlled data becomes part of the database command execution flow. The vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter binding or string concatenation practices that directly incorporate user-supplied values into SQL statements without proper security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2851 extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it enables full database compromise and potential system infiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and administrative access details stored within the database. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the server or local network privileges to exploit the vulnerability. This makes the attack surface particularly concerning as it can be executed from any location with internet connectivity, potentially allowing for widespread data breaches across multiple Joomla! installations using vulnerable versions of the BookLibrary module.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services and T1071.1004 for application layer protocol usage. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which identifies improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands as the underlying weakness. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and access controls to prevent exploitation. The recommended approach includes updating to patched versions of the BookLibrary module, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of all Joomla! installations to identify similar vulnerabilities in other third-party components. Additionally, database query logging and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous SQL patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.